health

Coronary artery disease is caused by a slow buildup—over years or decades—
of plaque along the inner wall of a coronary artery. The plaque can
block the flow of blood through the artery either by becoming thick
enough to narrow the artery, or by rupturing and leading to the formation
of a blood clot that blocks the artery.

Coronary artery disease can progress (get worse) for years without
producing any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear they
typically take three forms:

• Angina or chest pain. Doctors distinguish two types of angina:
  stable angina, which occurs during exercise, after a heavy meal,
  or at other predictable times; and unstable angina, which varies
  in severity, timing, or frequency. Unstable angina is often an early
  warning of a heart attack, and requires emergency medical evaluation
  and treatment.
  
• Shortness of breath.
  
• A heart attack.

Some patients with CAD also experience lightheadedness or dizziness,
an irregular heartbeat, or a racing heartbeat.